The 6am breakfast was a little delayed awaiting bread and pastries but cereals, cold meats, cheeses along with eggs and bacon were all available.
The vans were packed and we left the hotel for the start line just before 7:30am. The driver used the vans GPS for navigation but it must be set to the most scenic route possible as we saw plenty of back roads, small lanes and villages that could easily have been by passed, By the time we arrived, the bikes were set up ready to go.
After a briefing and final words, just like that we were on our way. As was to be expected, a few riders engaged in excessive early tootling but calmed down a little with just over 3,200km to go.
Navigation was a concern as some roads are non-cycling and others one way. After a few initial on and off bike paths and following GPS directions, the solution was very simple - follow the big green TDF directional arrows except when they go the wrong way up one way streets as we don't get closed roads.
A few kilometres from the start we passed the French women's team and their entourage.
The weather started off a moderate 19 degrees and mostly cloudy but warmed up to a maximum of around 27 degrees as the cloud cleared a little. Some over development loomed but we did not get any rain. Winds were generally light with a cross to tail wind component.
The pace settled down to a reasonable one with traffic etc in the villages causing the bunch to slow down. We still reached the first feed station in good time and the staff member riding with us decided he had enough.
The stage was basically flat with some later gentle rolling country. Strava made up 814m of climbing but Garmin had 527m.
Just as we were leaving our 2nd feed station, the French women's team stopped for lunch across the road. We didn't see them again all day.
We reached the end of the stage and the last 100m of the course was barricaded off. However, the officials let us in to cross the finish line. The total distance ridden, including the neutral zone prior to the official start line, was 206.4km in 6hrs 41m of riding.
The bikes were then packed into the van for the drive to our hotel about 60km away. The hotel is extremely basic with small beds, shared rooms and no air conditioning.
Dinner was at a restaurant called Flunch which was nothing like what the organiser expected. It is a pseudo buffet restaurant with the options of choosing entrees, mains, desserts, drinks and salads etc. It was filling.
Breakfast tomorrow is set for 6:30am. Stage 2 is also deemed flat and just a 182km.
Video highlights can be seen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMlOtkxU06U
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